The Aerial Phenomena team will be at the Annual Ozark UFO Conference in Eureka Springs, Arkansas from 11-13 April 2014. For more information visit http://ozarkufoconference.com/index.htm.
Category: Front Page News
Space Science Released!
The scientific investigation into UFO phenomena has been derailed by claptrap such as the alien agenda, disclosure petitions, and the alleged engineering of human-alien hybrids; and pseudoscience such as metaphysics and astroprojection. More importantly, it appears the UFO community is no longer concerned whether or not extraterrestrials can actually exist and are capable of interstellar (or intergalactic) travel.
This book, therefore, addresses what the UFO community conveniently fails to address: the astrophysical properties of alleged extraterrestrial star systems; the physiological aspects of interstellar travel; the speed of light and why it matters; and the limits of interstellar travel, to name a few. Collectively called Space Science, these topics will provide the UFO enthusiast a better understanding of how space functions; and more importantly, a wealth of scientific facts designed to challenge the UFO community into shaping better arguments for the extraterrestrial hypothesis of UFO phenomena.
Book is available on API’s Store or Amazon
A Convergence of Paranoia, Lens Flares, and Pareidolia
Overall, this year’s MUFON conferences in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia were well organized and better than expected. John Ventre, who is the MUFON State Director for Pennsylvania, invited a wide-range of speakers who managed to successfully entertained both ends of the UFO cult spectrum: believers to skeptics. In the end, there is not much I can report about the conferences other than they were well organized, and more importantly, they were not inundated with the new-age claptrap that have swamped most UFO conference for 2013 (i.e., pseudo-psychics, closed-room forums for abductees, and, or course, alleged TOP SECRET UFO programs leaked at deathbed confessions).
Nevertheless, during these conferences, I did notice several issues that continue to swamp Ufology: Paranoia, lens flares, and pareidolia:
Paranoia: Several of alleged “contactees and abductees” I spoke with claimed they were victims of US government surveillance, harassment, and illegal wiretapping. One alleged contactee claimed he was recently approached by a “black” branch of the National Security Agency in an effort to prepare him, the contactee, for the upcoming gradual release of the top secret exchange program between Serpo, a planet of Zeta Reticuli, and extraterrestrials. Obviously, as former intelligence officer myself, I asked the contactee to elaborate more regarding this meeting with the NSA and he stressed that the NSA threatened him not to disclose the details about the meeting because we, the population, “we not ready”. After spending over 20 years in the intelligence community, and working on several projects with the NSA myself, I am pretty certain that the NSA has no “black” branch focusing on extraterrestrial activities. The NSA, for the most part, has a Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) and Cyber Security mission in support of national security. Additionally, I spoke with other alleged abductees who claimed the Federal Bureau of Investigation harassed them regarding their alien abductions and that the FBI recently “framed” them on various bogus indictments (non-ET related). Of course, neither of these “victims of US Government harassment” could provide proof to substantiate their claims.
MIB Image courtesy of redicecreations.com
Pareidolia and Lens Flares: Additionally, during both conferences, I was approached by at least 20 different attendees who claimed to have 100% physical proof of UFOs (I want to point out that yes the photos were nonetheless UFOs to each of these attendees). After careful examination, however, I concluded all of the photos were nothing more than a combination of lens flares, pareidolia and natural phenomena. It is in the best interest of upcoming UFO conferences, therefore, that a type of “photo analysis booth” is set up in an effort to review photos of alleged UFOs and, more importantly, to educate the attendees regarding their photos.
Case Files: The Official Podcast of Aerial Phenomena
The first episode of our official podcast, Case Files, is now available.
“API Case Files” is a new podcast about the scientific investigation of unidentified aerial phenomena (also known as UAPs or UFOs). This podcast is about educating the public about UFOs and sharing API’s efforts to investigate and study the phenomena.
You can download and/or listen Case Files
A review of Aerial Phenomena by Examiner.com
Posted by Jack Brewer, 21 Aug 2013
“You can tell when something is not moving forward anymore: when the doubts you have about it don’t go away,” writer Antonio Paris quoted author Jeffrey Eugenides as stating to begin the final chapter of Paris’ book, ‘Aerial Phenomena: Reviving Ufology for the 21st Century’. It was easy to envision why Paris chose that particular quote, as by that point in the book it was abundantly clear he had much more reason to doubt the legitimacy of stories circulating around the UFO community than believe them.
Antonio Paris is the founder and director of Aerial Phenomenon Investigations (API). According to its website, API is dedicated to conducting systematic investigations, research and analysis regarding UFOs and other aerial phenomena. The group is poised to bring more science and credibility to the study of UFOs.
Though Paris’ book is just a 150-page easy read, it offers readers clear and specific explanations as to how API approaches an investigation and the tools it uses. A former soldier, former special agent for the Department of Defense and having earned two science-related degrees, Paris designed a six-step investigative process that employs scientific principles and sound research practices. The resulting procedures guarantee uniformity, continuity and the creation of a functional – and accessible – data base.
A large portion of the book is dedicated to sharing the specific results of 50 cases, the investigations of which were conducted over the course of a year and involved some 2,000 hours of work. The vast majority of the cases were solved for all practical purposes. A small percentage defied currently available explanations, yet simple lack of information obviously contributed to that being the case to a large extent. Paris documented how most UFO sightings and related reports were misidentified terrestrial objects, natural phenomena, hoaxes or outbreaks of hysteria.
The author explained how his experience at attending UFO conferences and public meetings allowed him to observe a community stagnating in fantastic yet unsupported claims. Paris subsequently found UFO organizations to be poor sources of accurate information while promoting sensational speculation. Such organizations had tendencies to conceal collected data and avoid cooperating with one another, individual researchers and the public at large. In one circumstance, Paris explained, “I was offered a leadership position in another UFO group, but the offer was conditional: I would have had to dismantle API.”
As one reaches the final pages of ‘Aerial Phenomena: Reviving Ufology for the 21st Century’, they might well empathize – after his experience with certain questionable members of the UFO community and his extensive investigations that time and time again showed nothing of profound interest – if Antonio Paris were to ask UFO Land, “Is this all ya got?”. However, he portrays neither cynicism nor sarcasm as he brings his book to a close with visions of moving ufology forward, sincerely seeking cases of interest while apparently committed to conducting transparent and credible research.
While some readers might find themselves disappointed there are no sensational stories within the book, others are certain to find themselves refreshingly pleased with the fact. The author provides realistic case documentation and candid assessments of ufology, circumstances that, along with his organization’s commitment to scientific investigation, would make it quite interesting should he ever inform us he has identified a situation of particular interest. Readers should find themselves motivated to point API in the direction of what genuine unknowns might be out there.
‘Aerial Phenomena: Reviving Ufology for the 21st Century’ by Antonio Paris is currently available on the API website and through Amazon.
About Jack Brewer:
Jack Brewer’s interest in the paranormal and subsequent many years of navigating the UFO community led him to become convinced healthy skepticism was often sorely lacking. His research and writing integrate objectivity and relevant facts into assessments of the all too prevalent fantastic UFO dogma. His interests include such topics as alleged alien abduction and the intelligence community, which have been explored on his blog, ‘The UFO Trail’. Contact Brewer at brewer.jack@rocketmail.com.
Aerial Phenomena now available for download
The PDF version of Aerial Phenomena: Reviving Ufology for the 21st Century, is now available for download for only $4.99. Visit the API store for purchase!
13-113-AN1 (Skinwalker Ranch Investigation)
Synopsis: According to the witness, on 01 Mar 2013 he was in the vicinity of Skinwalker Ranch and inadvertently captured a “portal” and two UFOs. The witness, who used a Sony HD camera on night mode, was pointing the camera north towards the power lines along the ridge.
Evidence Submitted: An edited video. Not original.
Initial Action: Case opened as an AN1.
Investigation and Findings: This investigation was opened on 15 Nov 13. API will attempt various experiments to determine cause of the light anomaly.
Object Details: TBD.
13-110-FB1 (Patagonia)
Synopsis: Submitter provided API with a photo allegedly taken in Patagonia on 12 October 2009. According to the submitter, the photo was taken by a 25 year old female, who was hiking along the area with her uncle and grandfather. The submitter claimed that the female described the “flying saucer” as silent and zig-zagged back and forth. Investigator Note: Submitter is not the primary witness. The account, at this point, is hearsay.
Evidence Submitted: Several Photos
Initial Action: Case assigned as an FB1.
Investigation and Findings: Probable Hoax with a manually thrown object. See Report of Investigation.
Object Details: Hoax
Advance Technologies and Analytics
Unlike other UFO organizations, at Aerial Phenomena we exploit a wide array of advance technologies, computer software, and analytics throughout the investigative process. Some of these tools, for example, include weather data, astronomical observations, advance photo forensics, orbital mechanics software and local radar data. The team, moreover, is trained in deploying and using various trace evidence detection equipment, including radiation, electromagnetic disturbances, and magnetic effects.
Former Military Agent: No Hard Evidence of UFOs
By Tom Sofield
Reporter, Levittown News:
Antonio Paris traveled from Washington D.C. to Falls Township over the weekend to be one of several speakers at the multi-day UFO Conference that took place over the weekend. Despite being a featured speaker at the event, which is filled with UFO believers, Paris is a self-described “skeptic” and said nearly all UFO sightings are not caused by extraterrestrial beings. Conference
Paris, a 42-year-old Department of Defense contractor, scientist and former military counterintelligence agent, said his goal is to restore scientific respectability to UFO investigations. He and a team of about 15 handpicked people, who Paris said are vetted and highly educated, have conducted about 400 investigations info UFO reports and have found none with concrete proof.
“Does anyone have proof beyond a reasonable doubt? No,” he said. “I believe there is life, but I don’t believe they’re jumping into clunky little crafts and coming here.”
Instead of just investigating every light people see in the night sky, Paris said his team is looking at credible reports that were made recently.
Paris said his team – Aerial Phenomena – has not yet found evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that shows aliens from other planets are visiting Earth.
The Aerial Phenomena team studies interviews with witnesses, video, photos and material evidence during the course of their investigations. Paris said his group consults pilots, FBI agents and others during their study into reports.
Paris, who recently published a book on UFO sightings, said he is currently working on an Animal Planet television series for next year.
Skeptics like Paris were rare but not unheard of at the conference. One Bucks County man, who did not want his name published, said he attended just to learn more and hear some of the theories.
Mutual UFO Network of Pennsylvania Director John Ventre organized the UFO Conference at the Sheraton Bucks County Hotel. Ventre, who drove from the western portion of the state, said about 400 people attended the convention, which covered the Roswell UFO incident, aliens in pop culture, cryptozoology and other topics.
Ventre said last year that the 2008 wave of UFO sightings and convenient access to highways lead to MUFON picking the Sheraton Hotel.
Book publisher Richard Lange said the conference has grown as UFOs become more mainstream.
“You won’t see anybody with tin foil hats here,” he said.
More at: Levittown News